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Natalie Hoffman articles
Natalie Hoffman is Napa Valley Register's health and education reporter. Natalie can be reached at nhoffman@napanews.com
November 20th, 2009
Parents pack meeting on school closuresNearly 200 people turned out Wednesday at Redwood Middle School, where Napa school district officials hosted the second of two public meetings about likely school closures.
November 17th, 2009
NVC acres waits for the right ideaNapa Valley College is grappling with a $4 million budget gap, but that’s not speeding up any plans to lease or develop a sliver of campus property across from South Napa Marketplace.
November 15th, 2009
H1N1's impact light so far at local schoolsSwine flu is on the rise in Napa County schools, but to date, the illness’ overall severity on campus isn’t enough to warrant school closures or other extreme measures.
November 11th, 2009
So far, little H1N1 vaccine in Napa ValleyFlu season is here, but H1N1 flu vaccine is in short supply.
November 9th, 2009
School officials add new requirements for K-12Local teens will soon be working harder for their high school diplomas.
November 8th, 2009
Students reflect on Vintage unrestAll is calm on the Vintage High School campus these days, and a lot of the credit goes to students who reacted quickly and peacefully in the wake of two days of upheaval in late September.
Cash-strapped Napa schools OK tax surveyNapa Valley Unified School District is going ahead with a poll to find out how amenable district residents would be to a new school parcel tax.
November 6th, 2009
School district asking if residents would support taxThe Napa Valley Unified School District is going ahead with plans for a poll to learn whether area residents would support a school parcel tax.
Carneros closure tops list of concerns at school meetingDon’t close Carneros Elementary School. That was the message from many of the 100 or so residents who came out to a special Napa Valley Unified School District meeting Wednesday night at Harvest Middle School.
November 4th, 2009
Students find rewards in ancient gameWhen you’re passing through the metal detector just inside Liberty High School’s classroom 104, all the chess boards might catch you a little off guard.
November 3rd, 2009
Big upgrade at New TechStudents are getting an earful of thundering jackhammers at Napa New Technology High School, wherean $11 million renovation and expansion project is under way.
November 2nd, 2009
Aid requests soar at Napa Valley CollegeWithout financial aid, Evangelina Alvarez, a student at Napa Valley College, probably wouldn’t be attending college. It turns out she’s far from alone.
October 31st, 2009
Youth group seeking to build community centerA local youth organization is taking the reins to meet the community’s needs while transforming Napa’s McPherson neighborhood into a more diverse, dynamic place to live.
October 29th, 2009
More cuts strike Napa County Health and Human Services AgencyCounty health officials are bracing for a new budget hit that strikes hardest at Napa County Health and Human Services Agency’s mental health division, alcohol and drug treatment programs and public health departments.
October 25th, 2009
A school at Napa Pipe?Napa Pipe developers recently bought three tracts of land neighboring the original 154-acre Napa Pipe site and will set property aside for a new elementary school campus if local officials request it.
October 24th, 2009
NVC leader remembered at formal gatheringPoetry, music and public speakers captured hundreds of people’s attention and hearts at Napa Valley College’s gym Friday afternoon for a public memorial honoring late Napa Valley College President Dr. Chris McCarthy.
October 23rd, 2009
At Napa State, some nurses double wages with OT paySome Napa State Hospital nurses earned more in overtime pay then they were slated to make in salary during the 2007-08 fiscal year, according to the California’s state auditor.
Cause unknown in death of Napa Valley College presidentThe cause of death for Napa Valley College President Dr. Chris McCarthy is officially undetermined after coroner’s test results were released Thursday by the Napa County Sheriff’s Office.
October 22nd, 2009
Cause unknown in death of Napa Valley College presidentThe cause of Napa Valley College President Dr. Chris McCarthy’s death is officially undetermined, according to test results released today from the Napa County Sheriff’s Office.
October 21st, 2009
Taking the helm at PUCDr. Heather Knight is new to Pacific Union College, but that’s not keeping the recently appointed president of the college from getting to work increasing student enrollment and reaching out to others in Napa County.
The foundation of solid learningMore than ever, local schools could use a boost from the communities they serve.
October 19th, 2009
Time to hire teachers for new high schoolAmerican Canyon High School is hiring.
October 17th, 2009
Three Napa schools may be closedNapa school officials have unveiled the names of three campuses that may face closure for the 2010-11 academic year and beyond.
October 16th, 2009
3 Napa schools face being closedThree Napa County schools face closure due to large state cuts in education, school district officals announced Thursday evening.
October 15th, 2009
St. Helena Hospital prepares new cutting-edge cancer treatment centerConstruction is wrapping up at St. Helena Hospital’s new Martin-O’Neil Cancer Center — a one-stop cancer treatment and resource center scheduled to open its doors in mid- to late November.
October 10th, 2009
Money lag makes district creative to keep building AmCan HighThe state is $44 million behind in money for Napa school construction projects, but American Canyon High School is still expected to open on schedule in the fall, local school officials say.
October 9th, 2009
Students, families seek aid in paying for higher educationSigns of the ailing economy revealed themselves at a recent college night event at Napa High School, where many teens said reduced family finances and access to financial aid are influencing their college plans.
October 8th, 2009
School district moves toward poll on parcel taxThe Napa Valley Unified School District board of trustees is expected next week to give the OK to conducting a poll to determine residents’ openness to a parcel tax.
October 7th, 2009
Former Redwood teacher recalled as a science boosterEducators recently lost one of their own with the death of Jennifer Landrith Stitt, a former Redwood Middle School teacher who colleagues say was known for her dedication to students and love of nature.
October 3rd, 2009
Carneros parents out in force to save schoolAt least 70 Carneros Elementary School parents, teachers and students turned out at the most recent meeting of the Napa Valley Unified School District board of trustees to stave off possible closure of their school.
American Canyon High's new mascot is ... the wolfThe wolf has replaced the phoenix as the American Canyon High School mascot, after a decision at Thursday evening’s meeting of the Napa Valley Unified School District board of trustees.
October 2nd, 2009
American Canyon High's new mascot is ... the wolfThe wolf is replacing the phoenix as American Canyon High School’s mascot, according to a decision at Thursday evening’s regular meeting of the Napa Valley Unified School District board of trustees.
October 1st, 2009
District finds way to keep teachersSome Napa Valley Unified School District teachers got pink slips this spring, but district administrators are buying them time by changing how they’re paid.
September 29th, 2009
County gets $1.6 million for low-income renters, othersAbout $1.6 million worth of help for the homeless is on its way to Napa County as part of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
September 26th, 2009
Clinic Ole computer changes cause waitingClinic Ole staff couldn’t see all the patients seeking care at the agency this week, but it can’t be blamed on the swine flu or a shortage of staff physicians.
Suspensions, arrests at Vintage HighStudent violence at Vintage High School this week resulted in the suspension of at least 11 students on Wednesday and at least three student arrests Thursday.
September 25th, 2009
Suspensions, arrests at Vintage HighStudent violence at Vintage High School this week resulted in the suspension of at least 11 students on Wednesday and at least three student arrests Thursday.
College trustees lead vigil in remembrance of McCarthyThe Napa Valley College community came together for a candlelight walk Thursday evening in honor of NVC President Chris McCarthy, whose death early this week took students and faculty by surprise and generated an outpouring of emotion.
September 23rd, 2009
'A big-picture individual'Napa Valley College President Chris McCarthy, 56, died at home in Napa last weekend of what is believed to be natural causes, campus officials said Tuesday.
September 22nd, 2009
Napa Valley College President dead at age 56Napa Valley College President Chris McCarthy, 56, died at home this weekend of what appears to be natural causes, campus officials say.
September 21st, 2009
Napa schools' student rep not bored with the boardWhile other teens are cramming for exams or watching TV, Katrina Castner is sitting under the fluorescent lights at public meetings, taking in the issues of the day alongside the Napa Valley Unified School District board of trustees.
September 19th, 2009
Napa Valley College Buildings Taking ShapeThanks to Napa Valley College’s Measure N — a $133.8 million 2002 voter-approved bond measure — a new library, performing arts center and gym will soon be complete at the campus.
First magnet schools namedSchool district officials have named the four area elementary schools invited to become Napa’s first magnet schools.
September 18th, 2009
Officials consider campuses for specialized learningNapa Valley Unified School District officials are considering the launch of magnet schools emphasizing specific areas of learning, and will soon name a handful of campuses slated to become the first such schools in the district.
September 17th, 2009
For schools, higher scores, but not better gradeElena Toscano of Napa Valley Unified School District likes to call her turf “a consistently improving Program Improvement district,” and the reason why is no mystery.
September 14th, 2009
State cuts hit services for kidsGov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s cuts to state child welfare and foster programs will result in losses of about $100,000 in Napa County.
September 12th, 2009
County to launch two flu programsNapa County’s public health division will soon be launching two flu vaccination campaigns, the first of which is kicking off in two weeks.
Napa’s public health doctor back from D.C.Playing a role in helping the federal government prepare cities and counties for the swine flu’s impact, Napa County Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith went to meet recently with senior White House officials and other public health officers in Washington, D.C.
September 9th, 2009
Obama addresses education; handful of students opt outDespite concerns from a small group of parents, some Napa Valley Unified School District students were among the millions of young Americans President Barack Obama addressed in a televised speech Tuesday morning about the value of education.
September 5th, 2009
Health care forum turns into shoutingWhat began as a tame health care forum featuring two speakers Thursday evening in Napa ended with a shouting match and the event’s organizers pulling the plug during a question and answer period for audience members.
September 4th, 2009
Health care forum turns into shoutingWhat began as a tame health care forum featuring two speakers Thursday evening ended with a shouting match and the event’s organizers pulling the plug on the microphone during a question and answer period for audience members.
September 3rd, 2009
Organ from aunt could transform niece’s lifeMelissa Goleno of Napa and her niece, 12-year-old Allison Taylor, will soon go under the knife at UC San Francisco Medical Center, but the occasion — although nerve-racking for family members — is a happy one.
September 1st, 2009
Phillips' Veveiros named teacher of the yearPhillips Charter School teacher Jennifer Veveiros has come full circle.
Tea Party member hosts health care forum on ThursdayConservative speakers will take the stage Thursday evening at Veterans Memorial Park to share their views about the federal health care legislation known as H.R. 3200.
August 27th, 2009
American Canyon High to get solar powerSolar panels sprouting up at American Canyon High School next year could start a green trend for the Napa Valley Unified School District, which is considering tapping the sun to help power several of its campuses.
August 25th, 2009
Napa school district may close some schoolsSchool officials are planning on closing and consolidating an undecided number of Napa Valley Unified School District campuses wth final decisions expected by December.
August 24th, 2009
Mass swine flu vaccinations for schoolchildren?The swine flu is prompting local public health officials to consider setting up vaccination clinics in Napa Valley schools.
August 22nd, 2009
Students beat 2008 exam scoresMaking steady gains in core subjects, Napa students are beating the state average and their own scores from 2008, according to standardized test scores released this week for the 2009 academic year.
August 19th, 2009
Missing PTA funds draws criminal probeLaw enforcement officials say they are investigating the disappearance of tens of thousands of dollars from Capell Valley Elementary School’s PTA fund.
August 15th, 2009
Hypnotist can make things happen at Napa Town & Country FairNever underestimate the power of suggestion — especially if you’re dropping in on Dr. Scott Lewis’ comedy hypnosis show at the Napa Town & Country Fair.
August 13th, 2009
Local schools gear up for challenging yearTeachers and school workers around the county are preparing for the annual return of students to local campuses while also steeling themselves for the effects of deep cuts to education in the state budget.
August 11th, 2009
Web site boosts students’ brain powerLocal school officials are working to spread the word about a Web site connecting students and teachers to animated lesson programs, research materials, videos and other educational tools.
August 6th, 2009
Health care forum raises local pulseA vigorous public forum in Napa Monday evening has locals of all political persuasions weighing in on the event itself as well as the impact of federal health care reform proposals currently being considered in Congress.
August 5th, 2009
Drug bust at traffic stopWhat began as a simple traffic stop yielded a drug arrest for police late Monday morning.
Hit-and-run arrest in NapaA Napa man is in jail following his arrest on suspicion of felony DUI and felony hit-and-run Monday evening.
Pot grow bust at American Canyon homePolice confiscated 77 marijuana plants from an American Canyon residence early Saturday morning and expect the district attorney’s office to file charges against at least two men suspected in a grow operation.
Vocal crowd turns out for health care forumA packed Napa church hosted a boisterous meeting Monday night regarding health care reform. The meeting drew some 500 people to listen to — and occasionally shout at — a panel of speakers that included Rep. Mike Thompson, D- St. Helena.
August 4th, 2009
Loud, angry crowd turns out for health care forumA packed old town Napa church became ground zero Monday evening when a chaotic meeting about health care reform drew some 500 community members and a panel of VIP speakers including Rep. Mike Thompson, D- St. Helena.
July 31st, 2009
The short bus goes greenThe nation’s first small hybrid-electric school bus will be put to use this fall by students at Napa Valley Unified School District, thanks to a state grant distributed through the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
July 29th, 2009
Man taken to jail after fightNapa police booked a Fairfield teen on suspicion of robbery just before midnight Monday after officers say he and others assaulted two males and stole a skateboard.
Biker flees police, crashesA Lake County resident’s attempts to evade Napa police ended with a solo motorcycle crash near Silverado Middle School late Monday.
Blow torch may have caused Angwin fireA man using a blow torch to eradicate weeds on his property probably caused the Angwin residential fire that destroyed a home late Monday morning, local fire officials say.
July 28th, 2009
AmCan High right on trackConstruction of American Canyon High School is halfway finished, and the campus is on target to open its doors to freshmen and sophomores in August 2010.
July 25th, 2009
Local schools wait for cutsIt’s unknown exactly how likely record-breaking budget cuts from Sacramento will affect local schools, but one thing is clear: The uncertainty has local education officials bracing for impact.
July 23rd, 2009
Planners OK new Queen of the Valley additionIf all goes as planned, Queen of the Valley Medical Center will launch construction in spring of 2010 of a building boasting 20 new intensive care unit beds and a surgery center featuring larger operating rooms.
July 22nd, 2009
Suspected repeat abuser arrested in NapaAn alleged history of domestic battery landed a man in jail after police answered a call at the 1300 block of Fourth Street on Monday evening.
Solo DUI crash injures twoAn early morning crash Tuesday ended with the arrest of a Napa man after police say he drove into a ditch on Dry Creek Road and broke both of his ankles. A passenger in the car with 24-year-old Antonio Gonzalez suffered minor injuries after Gonzalez, 24, failed to turn safely onto Dry Creek Road from Trower Avenue, according to the Napa Police Department.
Search continues for missing man at Lake BerryessaThe Napa County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its search for a man believed to have drowned on Sunday afternoon at Lake Berryessa.
July 20th, 2009
Rabid bats found in NapaOne of the bats was found in the OldTown area of Napa, while the location the other was found cannot be determined, as an individual dropped that bat off at a Napa-based veterinarian.
July 17th, 2009
Silverado and other schools get new fieldsSilverado Middle School got its new track last fall, but construction is once again under way at the campus, where four new baseball fields will be ready for students in the spring of 2010.
July 5th, 2009
High school athletes to cover transportation costs next yearLocal high school athletes — or their parents — will soon be covering their own transportation costs to games and sports events, the Napa Valley Unified School District board of trustees decided at its latest meeting.
July 4th, 2009
42 teacher positions in valley are savedMore than half of the 80 or so Napa Valley Unified School District teachers who received preliminary layoff notices this spring will hang on to their jobs in the 2009-10 school year, thanks to a mix of good timing and federal stimulus money.
July 1st, 2009
Changes afoot for local career centersThe two largest Napa public high schools’ career centers may survive budget cuts, but they will do less.
June 28th, 2009
For schools, a big math problemFederal stimulus money is headed for local school districts girding for an unprecedented level of expected state cuts. But the lack of a state budget is leaving local school officials pondering to what degree they will see real fiscal relief.
June 25th, 2009
Scabies scare at the QueenAs many as 20 scabies cases — 10 confirmed and 10 suspected — have been discovered among patients who use the Queen of the Valley Medical Center’s Wellness Center. It’s estimated between 500 and 1,000 people use the center daily.
June 24th, 2009
Threats from Napa man lead to arrestPolice say residents of a Napa apartment complex got a scare Monday afternoon after a Napa man threatened to shoot a male acquaintance.
Meth bust in NapaNapa police netted a drug arrest on Monday night when they stopped a local woman appearing to be under the influence of drugs in public.
Crash results in DUI arrestA Napa man was arrested Monday on suspicion of felony DUI after allegedly being involved in a crash at Lincoln Avenue and Kennedy Way.
Woman and dog escape Napa fire unharmedA Napa woman and her dog safely evacuated their east Napa home Tuesday after their house caught fire, causing significant property damage.
June 11th, 2009
Vintage High graduates cheered on by familiesThey’re technically adults now, but Vintage High School’s graduating seniors will always be their parents’ children. Just ask Anne Base, mother of Shannon Base, her 18-year-old middle child and one of Vintage’s most recent graduates.
June 10th, 2009
Valley Oak seniors to go their own wayCamera-toting parents crowded a chain link fence at Memorial Stadium Tuesday morning in hopes of capturing choice shots of Valley Oak High School graduates proudly crossing the stage into adulthood.
June 5th, 2009
Justin-Siena celebrates 40th graduating classThe mood was jubilant at Justin-Siena High School’s 40th graduation ceremony Thursday evening, when student speakers looked ahead to the future and extended their good wishes to fellow classmates.
June 3rd, 2009
Man threatens firefightersPolice picked up a Calistoga man late Sunday evening on suspicion of three counts of assault with a deadly weapon.
Violence arrest in NapaA man was arrested after Napa police say a heated argument turned physical on Monday evening on the 2600 block of First Street.
Thieves steal Napa winery pipingThirty-one massive rolls of plastic irrigation piping are missing from a winery on the 2500 block of Napa Nook Road.
May 30th, 2009
Vintage pool will be in use after allVintage High School’s 650,000-gallon pool will be in use all summer, thanks to recent negotiations between Napa Valley Unified School District and local water sports groups.
May 27th, 2009
Joyride, theft end in arrestsNapa Police arrested two Napa teens Saturday evening after the duo allegedly broke into a South Coombs Street impound facility to retrieve a car belonging to one of the boys’ mothers.
Four names get one man arrestedAmerican Canyon police arrested a man who gave officers at least four aliases following an evening traffic stop on Memorial Day.
50 seek American Canyon principal's jobThe search is on for a principal to run American Canyon High School, which will open to freshmen and sophomores for the 2010-11 academic year.
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